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Rabiul Chowdhury reverses decision, returns to Rejinagar race (Img: X)
West Bengal by polls witnessing major twists. In a dramatic turnaround Mamata Banerjee led TMC candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury has reversed his decision to withdraw his nomination. Now he says he will contest the election October 6 Rejinagar Assembly bypoll.
Chowdhury was announced as the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s candidate, but he stepped aside in the morning on Saturday following a conversation with Banerjee. He cited the ongoing dispute over the Trinamool Congress’ name and symbol. He also alleged intimidation of workers loyal to the faction among the reasons for his initial decision.
“The symbol is new. It will be difficult for the voters to identify the new symbol and vote for me," Chowdhury said. He added, “That’s why I’ve decided to withdraw. I have spoken to Mamata Banerjee, and she has told me to do what is best.”
Chowdhury made it clear that nobody had threatened or pressured him to withdraw his nomination. However, he said party workers were facing threats while carrying out party activities.
After changing his decision, the veteran politician said he would begin campaigning in Rejinagar from Saturday. According to a reports, he also indicated that Mamata Banerjee could campaign for him in the constituency.
Reports also say that Mamata faction candidate Chowdhury would contest on the temporary 'football player' symbol allotted to the faction.
The latest development came a day after Mamata faction’s candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her candidature.
Pradhan Dey met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari before withdrawing from the contest. Although the meeting was initially described as a courtesy meeting, it drew political attention after she subsequently pulled out of the election.
After Sanchita Pradhan's withdrawal Mamata Banerjee announced that her faction would support Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram.
As speculation grew over a possible TMC-Congress understanding, West Bengal Police arrested Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in connection with a 19-year-old murder case. Rahul Gandhi and Mamata criticised the BJP over the development, while the BJP said the cases against Pradhan involved murder and Arms Act charges.
The Election Commission of India on Friday allotted interim names and symbols to the two rival factions. The Mamata-led faction received the name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the football player symbol, while the Arup Roy-led faction was allotted Democratic Trinamool Congress and the envelope symbol.
The decision followed the freezing of the party’s original name, “All India Trinamool Congress", and its "jora phool" symbol amid the factional dispute.
